WHAT'S INCLUDED

Two Nights/Three Day Tent Campsite Reservation

Meals (Saturday breakfast and dinner. Sunday Breakfast)

Interpretative Trail Guides/Ride Leaders

Campfire & Camp Snacks

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Walk on 10,000 year old glacial kames, see Hollywood movie homes, get googly-eyed over king styled mansions, celebrate with live music near beach volleyball courts, discover two State Parks, the list goes on! This all comes with guided history, architecture, and nature from our Tour Guides.

Pedal along ancient Shorelines, where woolly mammoths once trekked and Native Americans roamed through native lands. Traverse prairies and oak savannas under leafy green canopies. Witness the brilliance of engineering architects as you roll through canyoning towers of stone and steel marvels built by the mighty hands of men from around the world. This bike adventure includes the gleaming blue waters of lake michigan, rural farmland roads, historic towns, and rolling rivers. It will refresh anyone needing an adventure.

THE ROUTE

THIS IS BIKE CAMPING

Bike camping offers a total sensory experience, where the journey is as important as the destination. It’s like backpacking by bike; you carry your camping gear with you on your bicycle. With this adventure, we offer beginners and experts alike an opportunity to experience bike camping beyond the city.

ABOUT THE GUIDES

These rides usually have a 1:4 guide to participant ratio to ensure a safe and smooth experience. Guides will have a bike tool kit, an air pump, a presta/schrader valve adapter, tire lever, chain breaker, and a crescent wrench (for those older bikes), a multi-toolkit, lights, and an emergency packet. Our guides will help you with any needed repairs. *If you have any of the above items please bring them along at your own convenience.

Our guides work with historians, biologists, forest rangers, and leading people in their fields to deliver a one-of-a-kind story to remember. They have setup multiple break points along the way in all the right places to ensure we get proper breaks and don't push too hard. If this is your first time out on a long ride, you’ll be surprised by how far you can go when you take some breaks.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much are tickets?

Adult tickets are $95.

What’s included in the registration?

Tickets include a two-night group tent campsite rental, ride marshals,

Breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, guides, trip planning, firewood, and s’mores.

Participants bring their own tents, sleeping bags, clothing, and other gear.

Tell me more about food.

The guides will prepare a hearty, tasty camp dinner on Saturday night (veggie options available for vegetarians) and Sunday breakfast (Coffee, oatmeal, fruit, and tea).

How do I get to the start point if I don’t live nearby?

It’s up to you to get to the start point however you can. A few options: 1) store your bike and gear near the start/end point in another participant's garage before and after the ride; 2)Take the closest CTA train to get to the start point - be aware of rush-hour bike restrictions

Do I need to bring my own tent and sleeping gear?

Yes! Check out a sample packing list here. If you already own camping equipment, you can use what you have. However, if you’re looking to invest, buy gear intended for backpacking; it’s lighter and more packable than car camping equipment. We’ll cover how to pack for family bike camping in an upcoming blog post.

Do you transport the tent and camping gear to the destination?

No. There is no SAG vehicle. Participants transport themselves, plus tent and gear to the campsite on their bike. That’s what makes it bike camping! Please pack lightly and find a way to load your bike solidly.

What happens if it rains, is the event cancelled?

No. We will make every effort to put the event on and would only cancel in the event of biblical extreme weather or the zombie apocalypse (in which case, we’d all be furiously peddling with the other bike-powered preppers anyway). We strongly suggest you bring rain gear and if it looks like rain, garbage bags double wrapped over your gear with some tape where necessary can good-enough waterproof almost anything.

Bike Rentals?

Check out Bobby's Bike and Hike. They hook our people up with a mini-discount

What kind of bike do I need?

There is a bit of limestone, but really, all bikes are welcome.

What happens if my bike breaks?

We are here to help and have dedicated ride marshals in the group who will make simple repairs and help you out in any type of breakdown in order to get you rolling again.

This is frontcountry camping, which means we’re never that far from a bike shop if things get serious.

What happens if I’m too slow?

We aim for no rider left behind! If you can keep pedaling and have a positive attitude, we won't leave you. Plus, we ride slowly, usually around 12 mph.

If you just can't complete the ride, bug out options include Metra, CTA, rideshare and phone a friend, depending on location.

Are there other rides?

Yes! For 2019, there are a total of 10, about once a month.

Shorter free day rides called Where the Wild Things Grow happen monthly.

How fun is it riding with other folks?

Adventures create memories that last a lifetime so be prepared to have some fun and feel those warm communal vibes along the route and around that campfire.

REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY:

Individual/Participant Cancellations: No Refunds. No Transfers. | We are a small organization and due to the small group size of our rides, a ticket cancellation/no show has a real impact into the planning of the tour and as such, we cannot provide any refunds for a participant cancellation. By registering, you acknowledge and agree there will not be a refund if you cancel or do not show up for the event. Tickets are non-transferable and can not be resold. Please contact the ride organizer if you are no longer able to attend.

Organizer Cancellation: Full Refund | Nobody wants an event to be cancelled. But in the very rare case the organizer does cancel the event at their discretion due to unforeseen circumstances, then registered participants will receive a full refund. To date this organizer has never cancelled an event.

Weather and Rain: We do not cancel an event for rain or a storm. We ride rain or shine. Understand that Chicago weather is typically passing, if it gets intense we will wait it out in a provided shelter then continue biking. FYI-Some of the best views and greenery are after a rain storm.

ABOUT US

We're The Out Our Front Door Organization. A Bike Camping Community For Chicago and The Lower Lake Michigan Basin.